Monday, November 21, 2016

Had a FANTASTIC weekend! Just wrapped up our 4th annual Harry Potter themed party. We hosted a Yule Ball to celebrate two of our family members b-days. Also got to go see the new "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" movie! Thought I would give a quick preview of all the stuff we made and received at the party. My sis and her daughter overwhelmed us with some of their awe-inspiring creativity!!! (I'll probably post some more better pics when the dust settles.

As we have done for the past three years, we decorated the whole house Hogwart's style. And, each year the theme and activities of the party match the corresponding book. This year was all about the Tri-wizard cup, Yule Ball and Mad Eye Moody. :) We had a DADA earthworm fountain, foe-glass dark detector, goblet of fire for choosing champions, and much more!

We made a couple golden dragon eggs. I used paper mache over an 8 inch tall plastic egg. The top clasp is polymer clay. I wanted to make it open, but found it to be too complicated for the time I had to make it. But, I may go back and cut one of them open at a later date.

My mom and I also worked on our first attempt at a Grindylow. He was a mixture of a couple of our patterns for the gnome head and the house elf's jointed arms. The tentacles were a big challenge. We plan to go back and make another slightly larger version with larger tentacles and head.

Since this was first and foremost a Yule Ball, we spent a great deal of time turning our Great Hall into silver dance hall with decorations and lighting. :) We taped silver wrapping paper to the walls and made faux ice castle sculptures out of plastic beverage containers and icicle lights. We also had an extensive wizard rock and HP parody playlist for the evening. (If you'd like to hear some of the songs: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5bioASvRaQqMoQGlhpkkf6ne3L2xv3ZL)

Since Harry receive b-day cakes from all his friends while Dudley was on a diet, we asked the guest to bring 3 cup cake each for a competition. One for each birthday person and one for a "cake walk" or exchange where they could receive a different cake. We had some really clever submissions. (I will get the pics soon.)

One of the last tasks we planned was a "Pin the Nose on Voldemort" or "You Nose Who". We had guests stick it to Voldemort by hanging two laminated Voldy Faces on the wall with a selection of noses to pin him with. (Will get pics.)

For the last task, I drew up a quick Ministry banner on brown paper for above our cemetery laden mantle. (This awesome instant cemetery is the work of Crafterella. I received it in a craft swap a few years ago, and I just love it.)

And, speaking of craft swap, we received the craziest, coolest, most amazing items from my sis and her daughter this year!

They made us a faux stain glass mermaid window like the one in the Prefects' Bathroom. It is so cool! They used Gallery Glass on a textured plexiglass.

And this amazing piece! I'm still reeling from this one! I've wanted the hog-headed pumpkin juice pitcher since I saw it in the first movie! She did an unbelievable job on the head details!! :O

She even had the time to make us a textbook cd box which is perfect for our growing Wizard Rock and Audiobook collections! We were so spoiled this year!

My sis also made some Mad Eye Moody Eyes! She even had the thought to make a spare one removable so we can put it on the door for year seven.

So many wonderful creations. My niece even made us another baby dragon to go with the other I posted before. (I will get pics up when I get a chance.) I loved everything so much. We definitely had Xmas early this year! (Notice the bowtruckle in there? See below.)

If you saw the bowtruckle in the book pic above, it was my first attempt at Pickett as soon as we got back from the movie. LOL He is simply made by cutting/wrapping a couple flower stems I had in my craft stash. We call him "Stick-ett" (Pickett's cousin). I did make a more detailed one for my sis later that day using wire, tape and fabric paint. I will hopefully get some pics of that one soon. Until then, have a Harry Holiday!